Cambridge, MA vs New Bedford, MA

The cost of living difference between Cambridge, MA and New Bedford, MA is dramatic. New Bedford is 117.9% cheaper than Cambridge, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cambridge has a cost index of 207 while New Bedford sits at 95, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Cambridge is $2,742/month compared to $1,085/month in New Bedford — a 153% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Bedford is more affordable at $324,400 median vs $1,040,500.

Median household income in Cambridge is $126,469 compared to $56,025 in New Bedford (+125.7%). While Cambridge is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cambridge spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 23.2% in New Bedford.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.9°F vs 50.4°F). New Bedford receives more rainfall at 45.9" per year compared to 43.6" in Cambridge.